Reasonable Modifications of Policies, Practices, and Procedures for Students with Disabilities

At Lesley University, we are committed to providing equal and integrated access to academic, social, cultural, and recreational programs for all qualified persons with disabilities.

In addition to this long-standing university philosophy, students with disabilities have specific legal rights under the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. This is a civil rights law that protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of disability.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, such as a university.

The following is a summary of Lesley University’s policies and procedures for students with disabilities who are seeking reasonable modifications under the ADA. Sometimes, we refer to these modifications as “reasonable accommodations.”

An essential component of Title III of the ADA is the right of a qualified individual with a disability to a reasonable modification of an institution’s policies, where necessary, to provide the individual an equal benefit.

The process for obtaining a reasonable modification begins with the student’s request for a change in the usual manner in which things are done.

In the context of reasonable modifications, Lesley’s Disability Services Office may ask for documentation concerning an individual’s disability and the need for modifications, if such documentation is:

Necessary (when the manifestation of an individual’s disability is not readily apparent);

Reasonable; and

Limited to the need for the modification requested

While not always necessary, documentation may come from a physician, clinician, or other provider and may set forth recommended modifications.

In accordance with Title III of the ADA, we will make reasonable modifications to our rules, policies, practices, and procedures, when such modifications are necessary to afford goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

We do not charge individuals with disabilities for reasonable modifications or other actions required by the ADA.

While some modifications to policies are made generally, in most circumstances, Lesley’s Disability Services’ administrators determines support services and reasonable modifications on an individual basis. They do this in consultation with the student, and when necessary, medical professionals or others with helpful information.

We are committed to ensuring that all student disability information is maintained confidentially. We treat disability-related information as medical information and handle it under strict rules of confidentiality.

We securely file a student's documentation with the Disability Services Office. The documentation is not kept with any other student records on campus. The information can only be shared on a limited "need to know" basis within the Lesley University community.

Accommodations letters contain only the accommodation information, and not specifics of the disability. A student may choose to disclose more with faculty, but are not obligated to do so.

Based on individual circumstances, Disability Services may deny or discontinue an accommodation or modification.

Grievance Procedure

If a student disagrees with the determination made by Disability Services to deny or discontinue a modification, they can have the decision reviewed by the Executive Director of Academic Support Services (Lesley's ADA/Section 504 Coordinator).